Editorial Comment

Controlling drainage would help

Wednesday, April 11, 2001

Grand Forks Herald MAILBAG

JAMESTOWN, N.D. -- Runoff season is upon us.

I urge Red River Valley residents to drive west beyond the dikes and diversion channels and to note the thousands of wetlands that have been
drained since the 1997 flood, nearly all into the rights-of-way of our public road system.

Then, stop in at one of the county Farm Service Administration offices and ask how many of these events were in violation of federal law and
what was done about them.

Note the high water levels in the larger undrained wetlands. Hydrologists claim that drainage of prairie wetlands is a minor source of floodwater.
Are you convinced Devils Lake and other prairie wetlands can be drained into the valley without adding to the flood problems?

If we installed control structures on the six largest drained basins in each township and seeded the illegally cultivated public-section lines back to
grass, it would slow down some of the spring runoff water. The burden of flood control would be shared more equitably between those
contributing to and those suffering from the problem.

(Signed)

Hal Kantrud